Hot Topics:

RISE - Toledo, an operation of Green Thumb Industries LLC, has received a city permit to begin interior remodeling at 1920 Cooper Foster Park Road to create the first medical marijuana dispensary in the city of Lorain.

RISE - Toledo, an operation of Green Thumb Industries LLC, has received a city permit to begin interior remodeling at 1920 Cooper Foster Park Road to create the first medical marijuana dispensary in the city of Lorain.

And in Lorain, RISE - Toledo, an operation of Green Thumb Industries LLC, received a city permit Jan. 11 to begin interior remodeling at 1920 Cooper Foster Park Road to create the first medical marijuana dispensary in the city of Lorain.

And as one can imagine, the owners of the businesses are excited to open up their marijuana shops, to sell the products and employ people.

Robert Hasman, director of NMG Ohio, the parent company of Clubhouse Dispensary, and its partner Body and Mind Inc., said Clubhouse Dispensary, 709 Sugar Lane in Elyria, is ready to open its doors to medical marijuana consumers.

NMG Ohio, also known as Nevada Medical Group, is a Las Vegas-based medical marijuana cultivator and producer.

Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda said once the company's request makes it through Council's three readings beginning Jan. 21, and subsequent approvals, the dispensary is good to go.

Hasman suggests that his company is best known for its ability to supply dispensaries with marijuana and nonsmoking marijuana products.

Consumers will be able to use a wide range of products for their ailments with different methods.

There are some legitimate concerns from Elyria residents on whether the new 4,500-square-foot facility will be secure to prevent burglaries and robberies.

Hasman reassures that Clubhouse Dispensary is highly secured with concrete block, creating a facility that not only has a professional and classy feel, but is very safe.

He adds from his experience in other states, the facility had to meet a lot of criteria and went through a pretty extensive process with the state.

The facility will operate at full state requirements with full-time security personnel, a state-of-the-art security and camera system, a steel vault and a secure documentation system for patient data.

What's also is important is Clubhouse Dispensary will employ up to 25 people including managers, security, bookkeepers, and bud-tenders, who are professionally trained to assist customers with their medical needs.

So far, seven employees, who are experienced with Colorado and California operations, have been hired at the facility.

These employees will help with the consumer process at the dispensary, which begins with a customer being verified with a driver's license or other form of identification, their medical marijuana card and any other credentials needed.

Next, bud-tenders will assist customers and provide them with the necessary pre-packaged products on display and educate them on the use, benefits and all effects of medical marijuana, just like at a pharmacy.

That should make it less stressful for customers.

For those with sinister motives for the medical marijuana, they are out of luck; Ohio law prohibits smoking and re-selling the products.

Elyria police Chief Duane Whitely also is sending a friendly reminder that it's still against the law for consumers to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.

This is important for consumers to understand because the substance can stay in a person's system days after its use.

In Lorain, Ben Kovler, CEO and founder of Green Thumb Industries, also known as GTI, said expanding to the International City, will create jobs for residents and increase the company's footprint in Ohio.

Kovler said the license allows Green Thumb Industries to produce and distribute its quality brands in Ohio.

The 3,152-square-foot building that sits on 1.13 acres on Cooper Foster Road has 45 parking spaces.

Green Thumb Industries will spend $500,000 for the interior remodeling including $395,000 for building work, $49,000 for electrical upgrades, $21,000 on plumbing and $35,000 for heating and air conditioning.

The company will operate its processing facility in Toledo.

In June 2018, the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy awarded the company licenses to open five dispensaries, the maximum number permitted under current regulations

The company is slated to open the five RISE stores in Lorain, Cleveland, Toledo and two in Lakewood.

As long as people follow the rules, those who need medical marijuana will get the relief they need.

At the same time, this new industry will benefit the local economy, which makes it worth it.